Wednesday, January 20, 2010

#513 New York Yankees Team

Here comes the last card from my first trade with Kris. Thanks again! This might be the best team card in the set, between the wacky 45-degree angle and the snazzy Yankees emblem resting between the two bat boys. As a bonus, it's waaayyy miscut. Two thumbs up!

By the time most fans saw this card, they were probably sick to death of the Yankees. As you can see, the Bronx Bombers were the American League Champions in 1964, winning 99 games and losing 63 to squeak past the 98-win White Sox and 97-win Orioles. New York spent only 38 days in first place all season, compared to 111 for Baltimore, but they stood alone atop the A.L. when it mattered most. It made for an astounding 15th pennant for the club in an 18-year span dating back to 1947, but this would prove to be their last trip to the postseason until 1976. Somewhat fittingly, this dynastic era for the Yanks ended with a World Series loss, as the Cardinals outlasted them in seven games. Try to dry your eyes.

In the regular season, New York scored 730 runs (second-best in the league) and allowed only 577 (fourth-best). They topped the junior circuit with a total attendance of 1,305,638 at the original Yankee Stadium.

Though the Yankees were #2 in the league in runs scored and batting average (.253), they were not an especially potent offensive club. Three starters topped 16 home runs: first baseman Joe Pepitone (28 HR, 100 RBI), center fielder Mickey Mantle (.303, 35 HR, 111 RBI), and right fielder Roger Maris (.281, 26 HR, 71 RBI). Despite his power, Pepitone failed to post a league-average OPS+, walking only 24 times for an anemic on-base percentage of .281. This didn't stop the decision-makers from tabbing him for the All-Star Game. In addition to Joe, three other New York hitters were selected for the Midsummer Classic: Mantle, catcher Elston Howard (.313, 15 HR, 84 RBI), and second baseman Bobby Richardson (.267, 25 2B...yes, he was voted in by his peers).

The Yank pitchers were no slouches, either; their 3.15 team ERA ranked third and only one pitcher threw at least 50 innings with an ERA above 3.84. The rotation was anchored by All-Star Whitey Ford (17-6, 2.13 ERA, 8 SHO), who was ably flanked by youngsters like Jim Bouton (18-13, 3.02) and Al Downing (13-8, 3.47). Aside from wins, the New York staff also led the league with 45 saves, topped by rookie Pete Mikkelsen's 15 closeouts.

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I can remember playing with baseball cards as a toddler, but I actually started collecting them when I was ten. Now I'm an adult looking for an outlet to talk about my hobby without receiving blank stares in return. You can contact me thusly.